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Iwilleda barrier into place to protect us from prying ears as I searched within myself to see if I felt any kind of… anxiety but instead merely found that familiar numbness. When the time came, my heart would beat a pounding rhythm all its own, but as usual, when it came to matters of life or death, I felt nothing after having been desensitized after all these years.
The only thing I felt outside of numbness was the wound of Nakoa being so quick to volunteer me for the job, like some henchman at his beck and call who mattered not whether they lived or died.
“Fine…”
Roderick and Val both frowned, studying me keenly.
“You sure about that?” Val asked, quirking a brow.
“Yes. I’ll be glad to be free of her.”
Val nodded, heaving a sigh. “Look, love… I get the impression that things aren’t exactly peachy between you and Nakoa, but… Whatever it is, make peace with it tonight before it’s too late. Just in case. I have no doubt we’ll be successful tomorrow, but… Death pursues us all in this realm, and if I’ve learned anything here… It’s just when we thought we’d escaped that he catches us in his snare.”
Death…
I hadn’t shown anyone else the mark from Mors.
Merely the thought of the God of Death had the mark on my forearm burning. Since Malekai’s suggestion, I’d felt this undeniable pull, silently urging me to go to Mors’ temple in Bastrina. I’d been desperately trying to ignore it, but now that we were almost there, every moment I denied the urge was like nails raking across my mind. The thought of his acolytes alone made me shudder.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the barmaid approaching with a tray laden with our food and drinks. I dropped the barrier. When she set down our plates, each heaping with an entire chicken, vegetables, and roasted potatoes, I stared at mine with only mild interest. Instead, my fangs ached with the need to feed, and I would likely need extra strength to ensure our success tomorrow.
And my survival.
Val and Roderick tucked into their food, devoring it with fervor.
I had to force myself to take a few bites. Ironically enough, the hungrier I became for blood, the more normal food tasted like ash.
“Is it not to your liking?” Roderick asked around a large mouthful of food.
“It would be, but now I just need… something more.”
Both his and Val’s brows leapt in understanding, their chews slowing.
“Don’t worry, I’m not that hungry.”
They chuckled good-naturedly. I pushed my plate towards them, opting for the wine waiting in front of me.
A look of exhaustion settled on their faces as soon as they finished eating, followed by contagious yawning. Before heading to their room, Val’s hand settled on my shoulder.
“I know he can be a right, stubborn cunt… But he cares deeply for you…”
I drew in a deep breath, forcing a smile onto my face as I nodded.
“Thanks, Val… See you in the morning.”
He hesitated for a moment before turning to make his way to bed.
Roderick leaned his hip against the table, arms folded against his broad chest, staring down at me like he could see right through me. I returned his gaze, deliberating whether or not I should ask his advice.
How do I go about telling Nakoa that he’s sending me to kill his mother without jeopardizing the future of Atratus?
I didn’t miss the fuckingastonishingirony in the fact that she had sent me to kill him. And neither were aware of the other’s plot. Nottruly.
The words were yet again poised on the tip of my tongue just as Roderick spoke, cutting them off.
“Perhaps you guys should just try being friends?”
My brows leapt at his suggestion.
